Three best things I learned at the Rally

[crs7string]

Kelly,Did you see any of the "dots" still in the lounge on your way to the gym? Chuck

[leejohnson]

1. Use the forum2. Research more for Submissions ( and everything else I do)3. Be Patient

[kg]

Quote:Kelly,Did you see any of the "dots" still in the lounge on your way to the gym? ChuckI couldn't see much at all at that time of morning hahaha

[stick]

Quote:I couldn't see much at all at that time of morning hahahaYeah, because it's DARK! This is a good indication that it's STILL NIGHT!

[ccwheaton]

OK, I'll give it a try. Of course, the aftermath of the Rally may bring different lessons .1. Be Yourself. Don't try to make yourself over into something that is not authentic. Start with your deepest inner truth and go outward from there. Then you are more likely to find the people you need to work with, the friends you belong with, the right audience for your work, etc; those who affirm the person/artist you are, and not the one you're not!2. Love, learn, listen...and be patient with yourself and others. Trust the process: don't force it, but don't give up on yourself either!3. Gratitude is the attitude.

[audiorayne]

With reference to what michaelteak said a few posts back…..Now I know what you mean when you talk about elevator speeches. I was so busy in the weeks leading up to the Rally putting finishing touches on songs, putting together CDs and doing up business cards, that I never stopped to think about the concept of the elevator speech and how important it is. I learned my lesson the hard way this weekend. I told this story to a bunch of people at the Rally, so I apologize if anyone’s hearing it for the second (or third) time. After the keynote interview on Friday I went to get some more business cards from my room and I ended up in the elevator with none other than Kara DioGuardi. She had two folks assisting her and one of them was holding a pile of cd’s that Taxi members had given. I was so shell shocked that I’m amazed I was even able to say anything, but I managed to ask if I could put another CD on the pile. Then I turned to Kara and sort of muttered “That was a great interview. Good job.” Then, not wanting to gush and fawn over her like everyone else seemed to be doing from the moment she left the main ballroom, and not being able to come up with something else intelligent to say on the spot, I basically stood there staring at my shoes until we reached the 10th floor, where they got off. The silence was “pregnant” as Michael would put it, and not the least bit comfortable. Now, if I had actually thought about it in advance and had a 20-30 second blurb prepared, I might have made a better impression (or any impression, for that matter). I would have at least been able to thank Kara for one of my favourite tunes ever (the Kelly Clarkson song “Gone”) or something of that sort. I just never expected something like that would happen. I guess that’s another lesson to take away from the Rally – that kind of thing happens there, so don’t be shell shocked when it does.I guess it really wasn’t such a bad way to start my first Rally. It only got better from that moment on!-AR

[audiorayne]

And one more thing - the Road Rally is a great place to get some awesome music tossed your way for free. Man, so many of you are such pros already! *insert humble posture thing here*

[nomiyah]

1. Going to the Rally, I wanted a reality check on my progress as a songwriter-producer. I got a chance to speak to a number of people who encouraged me that I am on the right track. Liz Redwing, Fett, Ronan Chris Murphy, Robin Frederick, Mike Elizondo were all very helpful.2. Conveying emotion through music is a skill that can be learned. Steve Memel taught a vocal class about unconscious influences on singing that had useful techniques for connecting to emotions. Pat Pattison, Pete and Pat Luboff, Kara DioGuardi, Ponch each added to this lesson.3. The Rally exceeded my expectations. Michael is a shining example of ethics in a jaded industry, putting in countless hours for the benefit of Taxi members, going above and beyond what most business owners would do. Meeting the forum dots was the best part, I learned as much from all of you as from the panelists. Thanks for including me in the "second tier" dot party.

[tedsingingfox]

Yeah, boy. I'm right there with you, Nomi.But I THINK I can finally pin it down to three. Gonna try, anyway.1) CALLING yourself a professional and BEHAVING like a professional are two completely different things. (Seeing and meeting and observing Matt and Vikki and Jai Josefs and Pat Pattison and ALL of the dots at the rally, then coming home and running into a brick wall of egos and attitude and cliquishness like I did last night at the CD release party/concert only brought the point home even more clearly.) Thank you to all of you for setting such an organic and genuine (and GREAT) example of what a pro really is.2) I have a strength and an ability I wasn't even aware of that could very well change the course of my life (see my posting on the "post your highlight" thread). Thanks, again, Matt.3) Considering where my life was just five years ago, I am the luckiest, most blessed man I know. I have reason to be grateful for many, many years to come, and it's totally up to me to make the best of those blessings. (OK, now I'm starting to get a little emotional again.)Although the first time is often the best and most memorable, I will do my damnedest to never miss another rally.Thank you, Michael Laskow and your wonderful staff. I can't help but feel like you put in all that effort and hard work PURELY for my benefit. And I am not wrong about that. Just multiply the "my" by about 2500 people...

[gnc]

Hi, I'm brand new to the forum! My name is Chris and my husband's name is Gary... hence the name "GnC". We were so thrilled to be at the Road Rally this past weekend. We joined Taxi in August of this year. Even tho I'm not a musician I throughly enjoyed EVERYTHING about this event! My husband, Gary, has been a guitar player for many years and has written lots of songs. But like many musicians, the majority of his songs are only on paper and stashed in file folders, notebooks, etc. So needless to say we love what Taxi is all about!!! We enjoyed meeting so many of you, the Taxi Family, at the Rally. Everyone was so nice, so real, and so helpful... what more could you ask for in an event of this size! We're really looking forward to next year, especially now that we know what to expect. As a newbee to the "forum world"... I thank you ahead of time for your patience during my learning curve! Aloha, Chris